Flaxseeds have been big in the natural health world in recent years. They are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can prevent heart disease. They also are a great source of fiber. And they help fight inflammation.[1]
Researchers have recently discovered that this superfood may be a powerful weapon against obesity and diabetes.[2]
In a published in the American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism researchers looked at the health effects of flaxseeds after they are broken down in the gut.
One Little Seed May Hold the Key to a Thinner Body
They divided mice into four groups. Each was fed a different diet:
- A control diet consisting of 4.6% soy-derived fiber.
- A high-fat diet with no fiber.
- A high-fat diet plus 10% indigestible cellulose fiber.
- A high-fat diet plus 10% flaxseed fiber.
The mice were kept on these diets for 12 weeks. Then the researchers took samples from the rodents’ large intestines.
The team found that the flaxseed diet led to a healthier, more balanced mix of gut bacteria.
The scientists concluded: “Our data suggest that flaxseed fiber supplementation affects host metabolism by increasing energy expenditure and reducing obesity as well as by improving glucose tolerance.”[3]
In other words, flaxseeds help burn more calories while fighting weight gain and diabetes.
Human studies back up these findings. A major review of 45 clinical trials published in the journal Obesity Reviews concluded that flaxseed “is a good choice for weight reduction.”[4]
The Right Kind of Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are widely available at health food stores and some grocery stores.
Be sure to get them in ground form. If only whole seeds are available, use a spice or coffee grinder to grind them yourself. They’re easier to digest that way.[5]
Flaxseeds are extremely versatile… You can add them to smoothies, breakfast cereals, salads, soups, and casseroles.
Eat between one to five tablespoons (10 to 50 grams) daily to get weight and blood sugar benefits.
Flaxseeds are a simple way to promote weight loss while improving your overall health.
Editor’s Note: The key to lasting weight loss is not what goes into your stomach…but what’s happening in your head. Read our monthly journal Independent Healing to discover how two hormones can help you lose weight and keep it off for the rest of your life. Go HERE to find out more.
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References
[1] https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-flaxseed#1
[2] https://www.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajpendo.00391.2018
[3] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324371.php
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28635182/
[5] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-flaxseeds#section11